Holly Davis and Chris Kirker, founders and partners of the Austin family law boutique firm Kirker Davis, join us on today's show. They talk about Zoom best practices and the importance of hunger and believing in yourself.




COVID-19 update (as of the July 30th recording date)

The March shutdown created family law issues
Influx of people needing help
interpret existing orders
know options if they are in an abusive situation
issues around kids/school
Travis County
going to test a Zoom jury trial that is non-binding
essentially a pilot program
doubt we'll get to binding Zoom jury trials
Bexar County
Hybrid with some Zoom voir dire
Zoom hearings here to stay
prove ups at the end of the divorce are a good example of the type of hearing that could continue post-COVID
Lots of efficiencies
Proud of their team in both Austin and Williamson County offices in how they have adapted to the Zoom hearings
hearing schedule has not reduced; it has actually increased
there are more emergencies due to COVID
Used to have to take yourself, a paralegal, your client, boxes of evidence to the courthouse and wait for your turn to be called; now you get a specific date/time, exhibits are submitted in advance so everyone gets to see a list and prepare ahead; it increases efficiency and transparency
Proud of how the judges have adapted as well
Tips/Best practices
Be organized
Have the exhibit list prepared well in advance
Know which page number you will be looking to in your exhibits
Start doing Zoom all the time for practice and to get comfortable
firm meetings
client consults
Don't show up right when the Zoom is starting; leads to wasted time (audio; camera; lighting; etc.)
Get familiar with the other platforms that might get used (Williamson County is using Microsoft Teams)
Be sure before objecting to things like admissibility or authentication
judges have grace toward this right now and taking a more critical eye to those types of objections
Dress like you are in-person for the hearing or client meeting, etc.
good advice for a job interview too!

Their firm and practice

Second iteration of a successful family law firm
Strong vision of who the ideal client is and who the team is they want to put together to serve those clients
Wanted to break the mold of the old way of doing things and are having success practicing in a more modern way
Create policies that benefit the clients and associate attorneys
They have more clients calling in than they can handle so they are hiring
Each associate/paralegal is considered in every decision that is made
Goal when hiring people is they would make a career here rather than a job
High-stakes litigation firm that can also provide service to those who aren't seeking litigation/conflict
Female owned and a majority-female firm; diversity/inclusion
merit-based so anyone can thrive

Advice for lawyers in practice

You can survive and thrive in hard things
Learned in law school that she could survive anything, and might even thrive in it (credits Baylor Law's Practice Court program)
You can do way more than you probably think you can, but you have to do it and practice. Bring value!
Adopt/model good business philosophies now while you are in the early part of your practice
If you don't you could fall into limiting mindsets
Be mindful of how clients are going to search/discover you
Don't depend on your law firm exclusively
Google yourself as a client would
Focus on a niche practice area that you are interested in and highlights your skills
People want experts at the highest level

Advice for lawyers in a job search

Same advice in niche practice for client development applies to job searching
Firms want to hire someone who wants to do what the firm does, specifically. So a generalist is not as attractive as someone with a niche focus (that suits the need)
Indecision about what you want to do can also create more risk for the firm who may have to replace you after a short time if you leave because it's not a good fit.
At the document stage (resume/cover letter)
Send a cover letter; shows more commitment/interest
highlight how serious you are about being a family law attorney
Proof your resume/cover letter; so many have errors
Looking for people that are hungry to become the best at what they do
someone with experience in another practice area who wants to make a transition to family law could be very attractive if they were great in their prior practice and are hungry to learn and become the best family lawyer they can be.
Addressing this (or other potential resume negatives) in a cover letter also provides an opportunities to demonstrate your advocacy skills.
Interviews
Candidates tend to focus too much on where they've been as opposed to where they are going. How does the position fit into your larger career goals?
Fit of personality and can we get along is the focus.

Final Thoughts

Holly - You can do it! Believe in yourself. Don't limit yourself.
Chris - You aren't stuck. Take this COVID time to consider what you want.

Rapid Fire Questions

Trait you most want to see in an associate: Chris - hunger/drive/self-taught; Holly - hunger
Habit has been key to your success: Chris - desire to be the best; Holly - believing in myself
Favorite App/Tool: Holly - Zoom; Chris - Clio
Favorite Social Distancing Activity: Holly - taking calls while walking the neighborhood; Chris - swimming
Favorite Legal Movie - Holly - none / The Pelican Brief; Chris - A Few Good Men

Thanks again to Holly Davis and Chris Kirker for joining us on the show!